Blanche Knopf

Blanche Wolf Knopf (July 30, 1894 – June 4, 1966) was the president of Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. and wife of publisher Alfred Knopf, with whom she established the firm in 1915. Blanche and Alfred traveled the world seeking new authors. Blanche was especially influential in having European and Latin American literature translated into English and published in the United States. After World War II she was one of the first American publishers to travel to Europe, and from then on she was in charge of all European efforts of the firm.

For her accomplishments in developing and promoting the literature of France, she was named a Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur by the French government in 1949, and became an Officier de la Légion d'honneur in 1960. She was also honored by Brazil with the Order of the Southern Cross.[1]

Knopf began Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. with her future husband in New York in 1915. She learned the mechanics of printing and publishing and went on to become a highly influential editor. Knopf is credited with designing the Borzoi, a Russian wolfhound imprint marking Knopf titles. She became the Vice President of the company when it was incorporated in 1918. Knopf became president of Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1957 when Alfred Knopf became the chairman.[2]

Knopf is credited for advancing the careers of numerous authors, serving as an adviser while agreeing to publish the work of several influential authors. The Knopfs published the work of eleven Nobel Prize winners and eighteen Pulitzer Prize-winning titles.[3]